The Value of Conferences
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By F. G. Bristow, C.B.E., F.C.I.S., M.Inst.T.
SOME little time ago the question of the value of conferences received a certain measure of Press publicity by reason of objection being taken in some quarters to expenditure incurred by members and officials of public authorities in attending such functions in England and abroad. It was suggested that public funds were being spent to no useful purpose and that the representatives merely took the opportunity afforded by such conferences for the purpose of having an enjoyable holiday.
The Brighton Conference.
The forthcoming National Road Transport Conference, organized by the Commercial Motor Users Association, which is being held at Brighton from September 19 to 23, provides a suitable occasion for reviewing the value of conferences of such a character.
All phases of human activity inevitably appear to involve periodic review and consideration of the various difficulties and problerris which arise in connection with them. In matters both of public and of business administration, organization, and control, important problems invariably arise requiring solution, and the manner of solving these problems is usually of material concern to the particular form of activity.
It-a3annotbe _denied „that in seeking solutions to such problem-, it is of the greatest value to have the benefit of the widest possible experience and the best of avail-' able knowledge, and for the problems to be discussed by thos?).--possessing such experience and knowledge. Conferences constitnte the means whereby such discussion is rendered possible.
Ventilating the Verbal Viewpoint _ The written word plays a part of fundamental importance in the building up of human knowledge, but the verbal exchange of viewpoints and of practical experience, and the general discussion thereof by an assembly of experts such as is brought together at a conference, tends often to bring matters from a theoretical to a practical plane. When the solution to practical problems is being sought, this constitutes an essential contribution to the end in view.
In the road transport industry there is a number of important problems awaiting solution. Some may be peculiar to a particular undertaking, and call but for a conference, for example, of departmentil heads Other's to a locality requiring a conference of those concerned in that locality ; or in the case of problems of a more B30 general concern a national or an international conference may be appropriate. In any case, the problems require to be discussed, available knowledge and experience pooled, and various proposals considered—in other words, a meeting of one sort or another is neces,sary.
Thus may be stated the justification for and the value derived from conferences. If there be any who may be hesitating as to whether they should attend the Brighton Conference or not, perhaps these considerations will lead to their presence thereat.
The Value of Papers and Discussions.
Where papers are presented, they constitute a permanent record of value on the problems with which they are concerned, and here, perhaps, two points may be mentioned in connection with assuring the value of conferences. Circumstances may prevent the attendance of some whose contribution to the discussions would be of importance, or it may prove that time does not permit of all who would to take part in the discussions.
Likewise subsequent consideration of the proceedings may result in " after thoughts " of a nature likely to ass* in solving the particular problems which have been discussed. Here the written word may very usefully be substituted for the-43-6E6i, 153/ thesubriiisSion to th`ose responsible for the crinfeifelice of a written Statementat a time if necessary, subsequent to its condlusion.
These important gatherings do undoubtedly confer other advantages of perhaps a more personal character and value. For exarkile, the Brighton Conference will provide an opportunity for those engaged in the industry to make personal contact with each other outside the, official business sessions. The consequent excha`nge of experiencesmay prove of considerable value to those concerned ; permanent links of future value may be established, friendships may be brought into being which otherwise might not have been.
Relaxation From Business Activities.
In the case of the road transport industry conferences such as that to be held at Brighton not only provide the much-needed opportunity for a full and frank dission_ of its problems by an assembly of as widely (representative a character as is possible, but rcreate consciousiem,ad the national character of the industry. and of the fact that, as regards its main problems at any rate, any decision reached can be and indeed rauut
be "national" in character. The decisions must be those most beneficial to the industry as such and whilst having due regard for any sectional viewpoints must be of a character most likely to conduce to the future well-being of the industry as a whole.
That those attending conferences do have an opportunity of relaxation is, however, no ground for condemnation of these meetings. They are frequently held at well-known health and .pleasure resorts, and there appears to be no reason against the selection of a venue of that nature. The main purpose is achieved at the business sessions, and these alone constitute the real justification and the source of the real value accruing from conferences.
It may well be that some who otherwise might think it " impossible " to spare the time for conferences, are attracted by the opportunity of a short " holiday " and the various arrangements made for their social relaxation. Provided that the attendance thus attracted adds to the number of those taking part in the business functions and thus increases the general pool of knowledge and practical experience, no real objection can be taken to this aspect of conference activity.
In fact, the social side gives that opportunity for personal contact which may often prove of substantial value.
Conferences cannot, therefore, be considered as otherwise than necessary, their scope being determined by the issues to be considered.
There is every indication that the third National Road Transport Conference at Brighton, organized under the auspices of the Commercial Motor Users Association, will be very representative of the commercial motor industry Sand its value to this will therefore be assured by the fact that the problems to be put before the meeting are of practical importance to those who will be present. They are to be presented by'means of papers prepared by experts on the several subjects,